Pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a pharmaceutical dose which dispenses a variable selectable quantity of at least one pharmaceutical onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium. The quantity of the dispensed pharmaceutical(s) are controllably dispensed to customize each pharmaceutical dose to suit the needs of a particular user. The apparatus is coupled by an external telecommunication network to a remote signal source for receiving pharmaceutical quantity and type data for custom manufacturing a pharmaceutical dose. In one aspect, a replaceable cartridge contains a reservoir carrying at least one pharmaceutical component and a fluid drop generator which is mountable in the fluid dispenser. The reservoir may contain a number of separate compartments, each carrying different pharmaceutical component.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] Present invention relates to apparatus and method formanufacturing pharmaceutical doses.

[0003] 2. Description of the Art

[0004] Pharmaceutical doses in tablet or liquid form are made bypharmaceutical companies in formulations of a predetermined quantity ofpharmaceutical units in each dose. Such pharmaceutical doses arefrequently available in different strengths, such as 50 mg, 100 mg, etc.

[0005] A doctor typically prescribes a pharmaceutical or medication fora patient. The doctor, when prescribing a particular medication andmedication strength, typically takes into account the patient's age,weight, sex, strong versus weak health condition, available dosagetypes, and the severity of the patient's illness, disease, or condition.The prescription is filled by a pharmacist who provides the selectedpharmaceutical or medication in the desired strength and pharmaceuticaltype.

[0006] Errors can occur in this process due, for example, to thepharmacist being unable to clearly read the doctor's writtenprescription. This could cause the pharmacist to inadvertently selectthe improper strength or the wrong pharmaceutical. It would be desirableto provide a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus and method whichminimizes the occurrence of these problems.

[0007] For certain illnesses or physical conditions, people frequentlytake multiple pharmaceuticals at different times of the day, often indifferent combinations at different time intervals. Such a process isprone to error by the user by selecting the incorrect pharmaceuticals,or taking the proper pharmaceuticals at the wrong times or in the wrongcombination. It would be desirable to provide a pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus and method which simplifies the taking ofpharmaceuticals, especially combinations of different pharmaceuticals byproviding multiple pharmaceuticals of selected strengths in one dose orpill.

[0008] Previously, fluid jetting devices based on inkjet printertechnology have been used to dispense chemicals onto a substrate.Piezoelectric or thermal jet heads with one or more fluid reservoirs orchambers have been used to dispense a plurality of fluid drops ofdefined volume onto a medium or substrate. Typically, the fluid jettingheads dispense the same constant fluid volume.

[0009] It would be desirable to provide an apparatus and method for thecustom dispensing of pharmaceutical to form pharmaceutical doses whereeach pharmaceutical dose contains one of more pharmaceuticals in asingle tablet or liquid dose and where the type of pharmaceutical, andthe quantity of the selected pharmaceutical may be easily varied to meeta specific prescription or to manufacture a specific pharmaceuticaldose.

[0010] It would also be desirable to provide an apparatus and methodwhich is capable of dispensing variably selectable quantities ofpharmaceuticals to a pharmaceutical receiving medium, such as a tabletor a liquid vial. It would be also be desirable to provide an apparatusand method which is capable of dispensing multiple, differentpharmaceuticals in varied, selected quantities to a singe pharmaceuticalreceiving medium.

[0011] It would also be desirable to provide an apparatus and methodwhich is automatically responsive to an input prescription orpharmaceutical quantity signal to dispense the prescribed quantity andtype of pharmaceutical to a pharmaceutical medium.

[0012] It would also be desirable to provide an apparatus and methodwhich is capable of dispensing multiple pharmaceuticals in separatestages to a medium, each separated by a barrier or sealing layer toisolate the different pharmaceuticals from each other in the medium aswell as to provide an outer barrier layer to protect the pharmaceuticalsin the medium.

[0013] It would also be desirable to provide an apparatus and method fordispensing pharmaceuticals which uses replaceable pharmaceuticalreservoirs enabling different pharmaceuticals to be dispensed andre-supplied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention is a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatusand method which is capable of dispensing variable quantities of one ormore pharmaceuticals onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium therebyenabling a pharmaceutical dose to be custom manufactured to theparticular needs of a user.

[0015] In one aspect, the present invention is a method of manufacturinga pharmaceutical dose. The method comprises the steps of:

[0016] supplying one fluid pharmaceutical component in a reservoir;

[0017] providing a pharmaceutical receiving medium;

[0018] fluidically coupling the reservoir to a fluid drop generator; and

[0019] activating the fluid drop generator to eject a variably selectedquantity of the one pharmaceutical component onto the pharmaceuticalreceiving medium.

[0020] The present method also includes the step of supplying thepharmaceutical component including the step of providing the onepharmaceutical component in a replaceable reservoir fluidically coupledto the fluid drop generator.

[0021] In another aspect of the invention, the step of supplying thepharmaceutical component further comprises the step of providing aplurality of pharmaceutical components each in a separate reservoir,each reservoir fluidically coupled to a different one of a plurality offluid drop generators.

[0022] The method also includes the step of providing pharmaceuticalcomponent identification data to the controller for each reservoirconnected to the fluid drop generators.

[0023] In another aspect, the method includes the step of controllingthe activation of the fluid dispenser to dispense a variably selectablequantity of the one pharmaceutical component through the fluid dropgenerator to the pharmaceutical receiving medium.

[0024] In yet another aspect, the method includes the step of dispensinga barrier component onto the pharmaceutical receiving medium to seal aprior dispensed pharmaceutical component on the pharmaceutical receivingmedium.

[0025] In yet another aspect of the present method, the method includesthe step of providing a signal to the fluid dispenser from a remotesignal source specifying a selected quantity of specified pharmaceuticalcomponent to be dispensed onto one pharmaceutical receiving medium. Thesignal from the remote source may also specify the selected quantitiesof a plurality of pharmaceutical components to be dispensed onto the onepharmaceutical receiving medium and patient information.

[0026] In yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes thesteps of weighing the pharmaceutical receiving medium after the quantityof the pharmaceutical component or components have been dispensed ontothe medium. The method compares the weight of the pharmaceuticalreceiving medium with a reference combined weight corresponding to theweight of an empty pharmaceutical receiving medium and the weight of thevariably selected quantity of the one pharmaceutical component to verifythat the selected quantity of the one pharmaceutical component which hasbeen completely dispensed onto the medium.

[0027] In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus formanufacturing a pharmaceutical dose. The apparatus includes a reservoircontaining one pharmaceutical component, a fluid drop generatorfluidically coupled to the reservoir, and a control for activating thefluid drop generator to eject a variably selected quantity of the onepharmaceutical component onto the pharmaceutical receiving medium.

[0028] In this aspect of the invention, the supplying means ispreferably a reservoir containing a single pharmaceutical component.Preferably, the reservoir is fluidically coupled to the fluid dropgenerator and replaceably mounted in the fluid dispenser.

[0029] In another aspect, the reservoir is a plurality of reservoirs,each containing a different pharmaceutical component. In this aspect, aplurality of fluid drop generators are provided in the fluid dispenser,with at least one fluid drop generator fluidically coupled to one of theplurality of reservoirs. Further, the plurality of reservoirs arepreferably replaceably connected to the fluid dispenser.

[0030] In another aspect, the apparatus includes a communication means,coupled to the activating means or controller, for coupling a signalfrom a remote source carried on an external telecommunications networkto the controller wherein the remote signal specifies the variablyselectable quantity and/or the type of the one or more pharmaceuticalcomponents to be dispensed.

[0031] The apparatus also includes an optional weight detector fordetecting and outputting signals corresponding to the weight of thepharmaceutical receiving medium after the pharmaceutical component orcomponents have been dispensed onto the medium. The activating means orcontroller compares the detected weight with a reference or standardweight corresponding to the desired weight of the medium which hasreceived the complete specified pharmaceutical quantity. Anydiscrepancies can be use for corrective action or to reject theparticular medium.

[0032] In another aspect, the invention is a replaceable cartridge foran apparatus used to manufacturer a pharmaceutical dose which includes acontrol receiving data indicative of the pharmaceutical dose anddispensing droplets onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium. Thereplaceable cartridge includes a reservoir containing at least onepharmaceutical component and a fluid drop generator fluidically coupledto the reservoir. An information storage element may be provided on thereplaceable cartridge for providing information concerning at least oneparameter of the reservoir, the pharmaceutical dose or the stateoperative of the fluid drop generator.

[0033] In another aspect, the invention is a method of generating acustom pharmaceutical dose using a fluid drop generator operated by acontroller to eject droplets of a pharmaceutical component from areservoir onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium. The method includesthe steps of providing information to the controller indicative of aparticular prescription, and selecting a number of drops from apharmaceutical component to be ejected from the reservoir through thefluid drop generator in response to the information.

[0034] This method envisions the selection of one or more of a pluralityof fluid drop generators, each ejecting a different pharmaceuticalcomponent. The method also includes steps selecting the fluid dropgenerators in a plurality of different sequences or firing orders fordispensing a plurality of different pharmaceutical components.

[0035] The pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus and method of the presentinvention has numerous advantages compared to previous apparatus andmethods for manufacturing pharmaceutical dosages, whether in tablet orliquid container form. The present apparatus and method uniquely enablea single pharmaceutical receiving medium, such as a tablet, to bemanufactured with variably selected quantities of one or morepharmaceuticals. This enables a doctor or other prescription prescriber,as well as a manufacturer of mass distribution pharmaceutical doses, tocustom make a pharmaceutical dose which meets the specific requirementsof a particular user or at a particular strength, taking into accountvarious user characteristics, such as age, weight, sex, general healthcondition, degree of illness, physical condition, etc. Thepharmaceutical manufacturer may also be able to use the presentapparatus and method to construct a plurality of pharmaceutical doses tosuit a wide range of personal characteristics.

[0036] In addition, the present apparatus and method may be used tocustom manufacture a single pharmaceutical dose in a singlepharmaceutical receiving medium with contains multiple pharmaceuticals.This is ideally suited for users who take multiple pharmaceutical dosesor pills in different combinations and at different times during each 24hour period. The multiple pills or doses can be replaced with a singledose which contains all of the pharmaceuticals the user is to take at aspecific time. This can minimize taking the wrong pharmaceutical dose,or missing some of the doses a user is supposed to take at a particulartime.

[0037] The present method and apparatus are also connectable to anexternal telecommunication network to enable prescription order signalsfrom a prescription prescriber, such as a doctor, to be transmitted,such as to the pharmaceutical manufacturing site. The specifiedquantities of the pharmaceutical or pharmaceuticals which a particularuser is to take can be sent directly from the prescriber or doctor tothe manufacturing site enabling the prescribed pharmaceuticals to beautomatically dispensed into a medium or tablet. This minimizes thepotential for error in interpreting the prescriber's instructions aswell as minimizing error in the actual selection of the requiredquantity and type of each pharmaceutical.

[0038] The present apparatus and method also enables a cartridgecarrying fluidically coupled reservoirs and fluid drop generatorscarrying different pharmaceuticals to be replaceably mounted in thedispensing apparatus. This enables a pharmacy to use the presentapparatus and method to create many different pharmaceutical doses,simply by replacing one cartridge with a different cartridge containinga different pharmaceutical(s).

[0039] The present apparatus and method may also be employed by apharmacy to manufacture a single type of pharmaceutical dose where theentire apparatus is replaced with a new apparatus containing newquantities of the required pharmaceutical or pharmaceuticals.

[0040] In the case of multiple pharmaceuticals injected into a singlemedium, the present apparatus and method may also be used to dispense abarrier or seal component which forms a seal layer between the differentpharmaceuticals in a single pharmaceutical receiving medium. Thisprevents interaction between the pharmaceuticals before the medium isingested by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The various features, advantages, and other uses of the presentinvention will become more apparent by referring to the followingdetailed description and drawing in which:

[0042]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatusutilizing the method of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of a fluid dispenseraccording to the present apparatus;

[0044]FIGS. 3A and 3B are pictorial representations of the sequentialsteps in the method of the present invention;

[0045]FIGS. 4A and 4B are pictorial representations of optional methodsteps according to the present invention; and

[0046]FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of the sequence of operation of thepharmaceutical dispensing apparatus and method of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The present invention is an apparatus and method for dispensingpharmaceuticals to a pharmaceutical medium for manufacturing apharmaceutical dose for a patient or user. The apparatus and method makeunique use of an automated liquid ejecting device, such as a fluid jetdispenser having at least one pharmaceutical supply in a reservoir orchamber and at least one, and preferably, a plurality of jet heads ordroplet generators in an array, each head dispensing a fixed volume offluid in individual droplets from the reservoir on each activation ofthe head or drop generator. This arrangement enables the quantity ofpharmaceutical(s) to be varied from dose to dose thereby enabling customdoses to be more easily prepared to suit the needs of each specificpatient.

[0048] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1 and 2 inparticular, there is depicted a pharmaceutical dispensing apparatus 10constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Theapparatus 10 is depicted as a stand-alone apparatus which may be used ina pharmacy or other pharmaceutical dispensing location to automaticallyprepare custom pharmaceutical doses in response to prescription orders.

[0049] For the purposes of this description and the present invention,the term “pharmaceutical” is meant to include any type of drug,medication, chemical, or compound which is designed to be taken by ahuman as a medication to combat an illness or disease or to promotegeneral health. Thus, pharmaceuticals as used herein, can be any drug,vitamin, or other chemical or compound which is used for health relatedpurposes.

[0050] The apparatus 10 includes an activating means, such as acontroller or control 12, which may be a computer or central processingunit based device operating a control program stored in a memory, notshown. The controller 12 provides output signals 14 to a fluid dispenser16, such as a fluid-jet based device. Such a fluid dispenser, which mayincorporate control and structural features of Hewlett-Packard Ink-Jetprinter, Model Nos. HP-C1823D and HP51645A, for example, includes atleast one reservoir 18 which contains a quantity of a specific type ofone pharmaceutical. By way of example only, multiple reservoirs 20 and22 are also provided in the fluid dispenser 16. Each reservoir 18, 20and 22 may contain the same or different pharmaceutical. Alternately, asingle reservoir can contain a plurality of separate compartments.

[0051] As is well known, such fluid dispenser 16 include at least onefluid drop generator or jetting head for each reservoir 18, 20, and 22.Preferably, an array 24 is provided with a plurality of heads or dropletgenerators divided into subgroups, with each subgroup containing aplurality of heads associated with one specific reservoir 18, 20, or 22.

[0052] The fluid dispenser 16 is a drop on demand type fluid dispenser,with piezoelectric or thermal fluid drop generators being preferred.FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of a typical piezoelectric fluid dropgenerator 24 which is capable of dispensing individual droplets 36 uponeach activation of a driver 25.

[0053] The piezoelectric driver 25 operating under control signals fromthe controller 12 supplies activating signals to a disk or layer ofpiezoelectric material 27 which is mechanically connected to a chamber29 in one jetting head 24. The chamber 29 is disposed in fluidcommunication with one of the reservoirs, such as reservoir 18, wherebycapillary action supplies fluid pharmaceutical from the reservoir 18 tothe chamber 29. Upon each activation of the driver 25, the piezoelectricmaterial 27 undergoes stress which results in mechanical movement of thepiezoelectric material or element 27 resulting in a pumping actionwithin the chamber 29 which expels individual droplets 36 thought anorifice or outlet 33 in the jetting head 24.

[0054] It is preferred that each jetting head 24 be formed of materialsthat are inert to the pharmaceuticals which are to be dispensedtherefrom. Thus, the jetting head 24 can be formed of inert materials,such as glass, ceramic, porcelain, inert plastic, etc.

[0055] The control signals 14 generated by the controller 12 control theselection of the heads or droplet generators 24 connected to aparticular reservoir 18, 20, and 22 for each dispensing operation, whichmay include a plurality of fluid drops dispensed by the array of heads24 connected to the selected reservoir or reservoirs 18, 20 or 22. Thus,the pictorial representation of a single jetting head 24 in FIG. 2 willbe understood to represent all of the jetting heads 24 which form thearray 24 of jetting heads in the fluid dispenser 16 of the presentinvention. Various combinations of jetting heads 24 and reservoirs 18,20 and 22 may be utilized. For example, a single jetting head 24 may beassociated with a single reservoir 18, 20 or 22. Alternately, aplurality of identical jetting heads 24 may be disposed in fluidcommunication with a single reservoir 18, 20 and 22, with similar groupsof jetting heads 24 disposed in fluid communication with otherreservoirs 18, 20 and 22.

[0056] The controller 12 is also capable of generating the controlsignals 14 which simultaneously or consecutively control the number ofdrops dispensed by each subgroup of heads 24 associated with one or morereservoirs, 18, 20, or 22. This enables, for example, multiple differentpharmaceuticals to be dispensed onto a single pharmaceutical receivingmedium 26.

[0057] The jetting heads 24, whether provided as a single jetting head24 for each reservoir 18, 20 or 22 or as a plurality of groups of heads24 for one or more reservoirs 18, 20 or 22, may be arranged in anyparticular spatial arrangement consistent with the shape of thepharmaceutical receiving medium 26, depending upon the manner in whichthe various pharmaceuticals are to be dispensed onto the medium 26, thespeed of operation of the dispensing apparatus 10, etc. Thus, in oneaspect, all of the jetting heads 24 in the array may be disposed in asingle line. Alternately, various matrices of heads 24 may be providedfor each particular reservoir 18, 20 and 22. The controller 12 mayactivate the head or heads 24 associated with one reservoir 18, 20 and22 at a single time to dispense the complete variably selected quantityof the pharmaceutical from the single one reservoir 18, 20 or 22. If anadditional pharmaceutical is to be added to the medium 26, thecontroller 12 will then activate the jetting heads 24 associated with asecond one of the reservoirs 18, 20 and 22 to dispense the secondpharmaceutical. Alternately, the controller 12 may send control signalsto the jetting heads 24 associated with two or more of the reservoirs18, 20 or 22 to simultaneously dispense all of the differentpharmaceuticals which are selected for dispensing to the single medium26. Further details of a preferred sequence of dispensing of one or morepharmaceuticals is discussed hereafter.

[0058] Although the number of heads 24 in each subgroup of headsassociated with one particular reservoir 18, 20, and 22 typically havethe same cross section or diameter so as to be able to eject the sameknown, constant volume of fluid upon each activation, it is possible inthe present apparatus 10 to provide the heads 21 in at least onesubgroup of heads 24 with a different diameter, either larger or smallerthan the diameter of the heads 24 connected to other reservoirs 24 so asto dispense smaller or larger volumes of the pharmaceutical in theassociated reservoir 18, 20, or 22 upon each activation of the fluiddrop generator(s) 16.

[0059] The receiving medium 26 may be any suitable media used toreceive, store, and transport pharmaceuticals. A porous sugar tablet oreven a liquid receiving vial may be employed as the medium 26.

[0060] Since multiple pharmaceuticals are typically taken by a user overthe course of an illness or within a short time period, multipleidentical pharmaceutical filled mediums 26 can be formed by theapparatus 10 with the same selected quantity and type ofpharmaceuticals. A media carrier 28, such as a conveyor, not shown, maybe employed to advance new, unfilled media 26 into proximity with thejetting head array 24 as well as moving pharmaceutical filled media 26away from the jetting head array 24 and to a packaging or unloadstation, not shown. For example, the entire fluid dispenser 16 may bemounted on a movable carriage, which is traversable in one or moredirections with respect to the receiving medium 26 so as to bring thehead array 24 into proximity with successive receiving mediums 26.

[0061] A weight detector 30 is shown in FIG. 1 as an optional part ofthe apparatus 10. The weight detector 30 may be any type of weightingdevice, such as an electronic scale, which is capable of measuring theweight of each receiving medium 26, both in an unfilled state and in afilled state. The output signals of the weight detector 30 are input tothe controller 12. The controller 12 compares the measured weight ofeach filled medium 26 with a pre-stored, established reference orstandard weight of a medium 26 and a complete quantity of a selectedpharmaceutical to determine that the proper amount of pharmaceuticalcomponents have been dispensed to the medium 26.

[0062] The controller 12 can thus determine whether or not each medium26 has been filled with the complete quantity of the selectedpharmaceutical. If the detected weight comparison indicates that themedium 26 is too heavy, thereby indicating that too much pharmaceuticalhas been added to the medium 26, the controller 12 can activate asuitable reject apparatus, not shown, to reject the particular medium26. Alternately, if the detected weight of the filled medium 26 is lessthan the standard or reference weight, the controller 12 can alsogenerate signals activating the reject apparatus or, using feedback,determine the difference between the standard weight and measured weightof the medium 26 and then re-activate the heads 24 to dispense aselected amount of the pharmaceutical(s) to bring the weight differenceto zero.

[0063] It should be noted that the cartridges 16 containing thereservoirs 18, 20, and 22 and heads 24 may be provided in differentconfigurations, such as a single stand-alone, generally permanentlyattached cartridge 16 or as a replaceable cartridge 16. The singlestand-alone configuration is suitable for a single use of the apparatus10 where the reservoir or reservoirs 18, 20, and 22 are fully chargedwith pharmaceutical components by the pharmaceutical manufacturer, forexample, and then shipped to the dispensing location, such as apharmacy. When the pharmaceuticals in the reservoirs 18, 20, and 22 areexhausted, the apparatus 10 is exchanged for a completely new apparatus10.

[0064] The apparatus 10 may also be constructed with replaceablecartridges 16. This provides the pharmacy with the ability to resupplypharmaceuticals when the existing supply of pharmaceutical components inany of the reservoirs 18, 20, and 22 is exhausted. At the same time, oneor more cartridges 16 can be replaced with a different cartridge 16containing a different pharmaceutical to prepare a differentpharmaceutical dose.

[0065] Each of the plurality of reservoirs 18, 20, and 22 may be formedas separate, discrete reservoirs, each fluidically coupled to a head 24.Alternately, a single reservoir 18, 20, or 22 may contain individual,separate compartments defining the separate reservoirs 18, 20, and 22for different pharmaceuticals.

[0066]FIG. 2 also depicts a data or information storage device 39 whichmay be associated with each of the reservoirs 18, 20 and 22, with onlyreservoir 18 being shown. The storage device 39 is any type of memorydevice suitable for storing and outputting information related toparameters of the pharmaceutical contained within the particularreservoir 18 and/or the reservoir itself. This is advantageously usedwith the standalone, non-replaceable combination of the reservoirs 18,20 and 22 or the replaceable configuration reservoirs 18, 20 and 22. Thestorage device 39 may be a memory chip mounted on the reservoir 18 andconnected to external contacts which mate with contacts in a connector41 when the reservoir 18 is mounted in the fluid dispenser 16 andconnected electrically or optically with the controller 12. Once theconnection between the contacts on the storage device 39 and theconnector 41 is made, the controller 12 is disposed in electricalcommunication with the storage device 39 for information transfer withthe storage device 39.

[0067] The data in the information storage device 39 can be in the formof a code identifying the particular pharmaceutical component containedin the reservoir, such as a bar code, etc., which can be read by anysuitable reader, including a laser optical reader. Alternately,electrical contacts or other signal generating devices can be carried oneach storage device 39 to provide a code output which can be read by acode reader in the connector 41 or in the controller 12.

[0068] The information in the storage device 39 may be such as to enablethe controller 12 to digitally determine the type of pharmaceutical inthe reservoir 18 as well as other information, such as the quantity ofthe pharmaceutical remaining the reservoir 18 based on the number ofdrops dispensed or the number of times that the jetting head(s) 24coupled to the particular reservoir 18 has been activated. Otherparameters which can be stored in the storage device 39 include a datecode of manufacture of the pharmaceutical, an inspection date, systemcoefficients, reservoir size, age of the pharmaceutical, to name just afew.

[0069] The controller 12 can thereby verify that the properpharmaceutical component is provided in the appropriate reservoirlocation or merely identify which pharmaceutical component is present.An example of a fluid dispenser having retrievable reservoiridentification information is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,430,assigned to the Assignee of the present invention. The entire contentsof this patent are incorporated herein.

[0070] Another aspect of the present invention is also shown in FIG. 1wherein an electrical communication device is provided in the controller12 or as a separate element electrically connected to the controller 12.The receiver is coupled to a telecommunication network by various means,including hard conductors, cables, wireless transmission, etc. Thetelecommunication network may thus comprise an existing telephonecommunication network, as well as a wireless radio frequency network,cellular telephone network, satellite communication network, theInternet, etc.

[0071] In the case of a wireless communication network, the receiver iscoupled to an antenna for receiving signals from a remote signal source,such as a doctor's office or other prescription issuing authority. Thesesignals contain, for example, patient identifying data, as well as thetype(s) of pharmaceuticals, the quantity in terms of the number ofdosage units to be made, the dosage strength, etc. These signals areinput to the controller 12 which then activates the fluid dispenser 16in the appropriate manner to prepare the specified pharmaceutical doses.This automatic system has the advantage of minimizing errors ininterpreting a doctor's handwritten prescription order as well aspotential errors in manually filling the prescription.

[0072] At least a portion of the signals received by the receiver may bestored in the memory of the controller 12 for future use by the fluiddispenser 16. For example, signals specifying patient identificationdata, such as name, address, telephone number, authorized doctor, healthinsurance provider, etc., may be transmitted to or otherwise stored inthe memory of the controller 12. This would enable, for example, theapparatus 10 to be used whenever a patient desires to refill aprescription. Remote signals via a telephone or computer network fromthe patient to the apparatus 10 may be employed to generate a new order.Alternately, the pharmacy may take a telephone call or face-to-faceverbal instructions from a patient and then input appropriate signals tothe controller 12 through push buttons or other input means, includingcomputer inputs to fill a prescription for the patient.

[0073] An example of this communication sequence is shown in FIG. 5. Instep 60, a prescription is generated by a doctor or other prescriptiongenerating source. This prescription is transmitted via a communicationlink 62 in step 64 from the prescription source to the controller 12 viaany communication link described above. The prescription is received bya suitable signal receiving element or receiver coupled to thecontroller 12 in step 66. The controller 12 then stores the receivedprescription which specifies the type of pharmaceutical component(s) aswell as the quantity of the pharmaceutical component(s) which are to beused in each pharmaceutical dose.

[0074] The controller 12 then determines in step 68 if a cartridgecontaining the required pharmaceutical component or components isinstalled in the fluid dispenser 16. Step 68 may include sub-steps inwhich a plurality of coupled reservoir and fluid drop generators aredetected as being installed in the fluid dispenser 16.

[0075] In step 70, the controller 12 determines the number of drops ofthe selected pharmaceutical component(s) which are required for eachpharmaceutical dose. In step 72, the controller 12 then generatessignals to the cartridge 16 in the fluid dispenser 16 and, specifically,to the fluid drop generator to dispense the selected number of drops ofeach pharmaceutical component from the reservoir onto the pharmaceuticalreceiving medium 26.

[0076] Step 74 represents a determination made by the controller if thecorrect number of drops of pharmaceutical component(s) have beendispensed onto the medium 26. Step 24 can be implemented via theweighing means or scale 30 as well as an indication from the informationstorage element 36 on each reservoir and fluid drop generator which maycontain information specifying the number of drop dispensing signalswhich have been received from the controller 12.

[0077] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, there is depicted a firstmethod sequence according to the present invention. In this sequence,the fluid dispenser 16 is configured for dispensing a singlepharmaceutical component onto each receiving medium 26, such as atablet. In FIG. 3A, the head array 24 has been activated by thecontroller 12 to dispense one and, typically, a plurality of fluid drops36 onto the medium 26. For clarity in understanding the invention, thefluid drop 36 of the single pharmaceutical is shown as being depositedon the surface of the receiving medium 26 in a layer 37. Although thisis possible, typically the receiving medium 26 will be formed of aporous material which will allow the fluid pharmaceutical to be absorbedinto the interior of the medium 26.

[0078] Next, a different subgroup of heads in the head array 24 areactivated by the controller 12 to dispense droplets 38 from a differentreservoir 18, 20, or 22, as shown in FIG. 2C, over the first dispensedpharmaceutical on the medium 26. This second component can be a barriermaterial, such as a clear coat or other inert material which will notinteract with the first dispensed pharmaceutical component. The droplets38 harden or dry to form a barrier layer 40 over the first dispenseddroplets 36 and, possibly, over the entire exterior surface of themedium 26.

[0079] An optional method sequence is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In thisaspect of the present inventive method. In FIG. 4A, the pharmaceuticalmedium 26 has the first pharmaceutical component layer 37 and thebarrier layer 40 deposited thereon as described above and shown in FIGS.3A and 3B. Next, one or more drops 42 of a second pharmaceuticalcomponent, which can be different from the first pharmaceuticalcomponent in layer 37 are dispensed over the barrier layer 40 on themedium 26 in a layer 43. Next, an optional outermost barrier layer 44 isdispensed from one reservoir 18, 20, or 22 over the secondpharmaceutical layer 43, and the initial barrier layer 40.

[0080] In summary, there has been disclosed a unique pharmaceuticaldispensing apparatus and method which enables pharmaceuticals in tablet,or liquid form to be custom manufactured in different strengths orquantities or in multiple combinations in a single dose to suit thespecific requirements of an individual user. Further, the apparatus andmethod can utilize communication signals between a pharmaceuticalordering location, such as a doctor's office, and the pharmaceuticalmanufacturing location, to automatically generate each prescribedpharmaceutical thereby minimizing potential human errors in interpretinga prescription order and properly filling the prescription order.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a pharmaceutical dosecomprising the steps of: supplying one fluid pharmaceutical component ina reservoir; providing a pharmaceutical receiving medium; fluidicallycoupling the reservoir to a fluid drop generator; and activating thefluid drop generator to eject a variably selected quantity of the onepharmaceutical component onto the pharmaceutical receiving medium. 2.The method of claim 1 wherein the step of supplying the pharmaceuticalcomponent includes the step of providing the one pharmaceuticalcomponent in a replaceable reservoir fluidically coupled to the fluiddrop generator.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of supplyingthe pharmaceutical component further comprises the step of providing aplurality of pharmaceutical components each in a separate reservoir,each reservoir fluidically coupled to a different one of a plurality offluid drop generators.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step ofproviding the pharmaceutical component comprises the step of providing aplurality of pharmaceutical components in a single multiple chamberreservoir.
 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:providing a pharmaceutical component parameter information storageelement on the reservoir.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprisingthe step of: providing a control for controlling the activation of thefluid drop generator to dispense a selectable quantity of the onepharmaceutical component.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:providing a signal to the control from a remote signal source specifyinga selected quantity of that one pharmaceutical component to be dispensedonto one pharmaceutical receiving medium.
 8. The method of claim 1further comprising the step of: dispensing a barrier component onto thepharmaceutical receiving medium sealing a prior dispensed onepharmaceutical component on the pharmaceutical receiving medium.
 9. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the step of: weighing thepharmaceutical receiving medium after a variably selectable quantity ofthe one pharmaceutical component has been dispensed onto thepharmaceutical receiving medium to determine the dispensing of theselected quantity of the one pharmaceutical component.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising the step of: comparing the weight of thepharmaceutical receiving medium with a reference weight corresponding tothe weight of an empty pharmaceutical receiving medium and the weight ofthe variably selected quantity of the one pharmaceutical component toverify that the variably selected quantity of the one pharmaceuticalcomponent has been fully dispensed onto the pharmaceutical receivingmedium.
 11. The method of claim 1 performed with an apparatus formanufacturing a pharmaceutical dose comprising: means for supplying onefluid pharmaceutical component in a reservoir; means for providing apharmaceutical receiving medium; means for fluidically coupling thereservoir to a fluid drop generator; and means for activating the fluiddrop generator to eject a variably selected quantity of the onepharmaceutical component onto the pharmaceutical receiving medium. 12.An apparatus for manufacturing a pharmaceutical dose onto apharmaceutical receiving medium, the apparatus comprising: a reservoircontaining one fluid pharmaceutical component; a fluid drop generatorfluidically coupled to the reservoir; and a control activating the fluiddrop generator to eject a variably selected quantity of the onepharmaceutical component onto the medium.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12wherein the reservoir and the fluid drop generator are provided as anintegral replaceable unit.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein thereservoir comprises: a plurality of reservoirs, each containing adifferent pharmaceutical component.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14wherein the fluid dispenser comprises: a plurality of fluid dropgenerators, at least one separate one of the plurality of fluid dropgenerators connected to one of the plurality of reservoirs.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 12 further comprising: a signal communicationreceiver coupled to the control and an external telecommunicationsnetwork, the communication receiver communicating a signal from a remotesignal source specifying the variably selectable quantity of the onepharmaceutical component to the control.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12further comprising: a weight detector for detecting and outputtingsignals corresponding to the weight of the pharmaceutical receivingmedium after the one pharmaceutical component has been dispensed ontothe pharmaceutical receiving medium.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12wherein the one reservoir comprises: a single reservoir includes aplurality of separate compartments, each compartment containing adifferent pharmaceutical component.
 19. The apparatus of claim 12further comprising: an information storage element carried on thereservoir and the fluid drop generator, the information storage elementelectrically connectable to the control and providing communicatableinformation to the control of at least one parameter of thepharmaceutical component and the fluid drop generator.
 20. A replaceablecartridge usable in an apparatus for manufacturing a pharmaceuticaldose, the apparatus including a control receiving data indicative of thepharmaceutical dose and dispensing droplets of at least onepharmaceutical component onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium, thereplaceable cartridge comprising: a reservoir containing at least onepharmaceutical component; and a fluid drop generator fluidically coupledto the reservoir for dispensing droplets from the reservoir to thepharmaceutical receiving medium.
 21. The replaceable cartridge of claim20 further comprising: an information storage element carried on thereservoir and the fluid drop generator, the information storage elementelectrically connectable to the control and providing communicatableinformation to the control of at least one parameter of thepharmaceutical component and the fluid drop generator.
 22. Thereplaceable cartridge of claim 21 wherein the one parameter stored inthe information storage element identifies the pharmaceutical componentin the reservoir.
 23. The replaceable cartridge of claim 21 wherein: thefluid drop generator is integrally coupled to the reservoir.
 24. Thereplaceable cartridge of claim 23 wherein the information storageelement contains information specifying the number of drops to bedispensed by the fluid drop generator.
 25. The replaceable cartridge ofclaim 20 wherein: the fluid drop generator is integrally coupled to thereservoir.
 26. The replaceable cartridge of claim 20 wherein: thereservoir is a single reservoir including a plurality of separatecomponents, each containing one pharmaceutical component.
 27. A methodof generating a custom pharmaceutical dose using a fluid drop generatorcontrolled by a controller to eject droplets of a pharmaceuticalcomponent onto a pharmaceutical receiving medium, the method comprisingthe steps of: providing information to the controller indicative of aselected pharmaceutical dose; and selecting a number of fluid drops ofthe pharmaceutical component to be ejected from a reservoir through thefluid drop generator in response to the information.
 28. The method ofclaim 27 wherein the step of selecting a number of drops of thepharmaceutical component further comprises the steps of: selecting atleast one of a plurality of fluid drop generators, each ejecting adifferent pharmaceutical component.
 29. The method of claim 27 whereinthe step of selecting a number of drops of a pharmaceutical componentfurther comprises the steps of: selecting a number of drops of aplurality of different pharmaceutical components in a plurality ofdifferent dispensing sequences.
 30. The method of claim 27 furthercomprising the step of: reading at least one of a pharmaceuticalcomponent identification data, a reservoir parameter and a fluid dropgenerator parameter from an information storage element carried on oneof the reservoir and the fluid drop generator.